Jeanne and her husband were eating what is widely considered a healthy diet: little to no processed foods, no sugary drinks, and lots of fruits and vegetables.
Still, she was unhappy with her weight and health. When a friend told her about low carb eating, she decided it was worth trying.
Not only did it help Jeanne lose 70 pounds (31 kilos), but the diet also helped her reverse her Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition.
And they loved the food.
She was so happy with her progress that on a recent trip to Sweden she and her husband stopped by the Diet Doctor offices in Stockholm to say hello and personally thank the Diet Doctor team.
"If my story can help just one other person live a much healthier life and be able to do things they haven't done in decades (like me), then my success is that much sweeter!"
Here is Jeanne's story.
What is your name, age and where do you live?
Jeanne, 55, Kentucky USA
How did you find Diet Doctor and when did you decide to do low carb or keto?
I discovered Diet Doctor in July 2019; a friend shared her success story with me. My daughter convinced me to give it a try. She said, "Mom, you can do anything for two weeks"...so I did!
Did you have any health or weight struggles before going low carb or keto?
YES! I struggled with weight after my third child was born and was eventually diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. It is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid.
What were you typically eating before making this lifestyle change?
We never ate the "typical" American diet; we avoided processed foods. We ate whole foods, lots of fruit and grains.
We didn't drink soda. Breakfast would be a whole-grain cereal; oatmeal, fruit, yogurt with granola. Lunch or dinner would be a home-cooked meal such as a pasta dish, beans, and rice, or meat with a side of veggies and some kind of potato, pasta, or rice.
We ate whole-grain bread, cereal, and even pasta because we thought it was healthier. My mother made the best mac and cheese from scratch - so I thought this home-made version was much healthier than the stuff in the box that is so popular here in the USA.
It was what would be considered a healthy diet. That is why I resigned myself that I would spend the rest of my life being overweight. I blamed my Hashimoto's.
What Diet Doctor recipes or resources have helped you?
So many things! The visual guides, recipes, and community support were the top three.
My favorite go-to meals are:
Greg, my husband, also enjoys the recipes, so I can still cook for two and we're healthier for it!
Another thing I love about the recipes is the serving size; if you love leftovers like I do, I make a meal with four servings and enjoy it again the next day. If you're not fond of that, just stick to the serving size that fits your preferences.
Right now with Diet Doctor, we are really excited to explore some of the new higher-satiety resources and meal plans.
What does a typical day of eating and/or fasting look like for you now?
Due to the nature of a keto diet, and learning to listen to my body, I have discovered I can eat only one meal a day and be completely satisfied.
My previous way of eating would leave me hungry a few hours later, so the next meal, I would eat larger portions, thinking I would be satisfied longer. It was a vicious cycle of eating until I was uncomfortably full, only to be hungry again in a relatively short period of time.
A typical day of eating for me now is a coffee with coconut oil, butter, and stevia which holds me over until mid-afternoon. I'll eat some cheese and ham or roast beef as a small snack, or sometimes I'll have last night's dinner for lunch. Then we'll make a Diet Doctor recipe for dinner. And that'll be it for the day. I am rarely hungry now. I am amazed at how much impact food has on my body!
In what ways has your health or weight improved?
I've lost 70 pounds (31 kilos), I have lots more energy, and my Hashimoto's has reversed. I have not needed my thyroid hormone in over a year; my labs are in the normal range. I feel it is safe to say that due to my way of eating, my body has healed itself from an autoimmune disease. My joint pain is gone. My sleep has improved tremendously!
What mistakes have you learned from on your journey?
I learned to trust a low carb, high fat diet isn't bad for you; in fact, my body runs much better on high fat. I went from being constantly hungry to never hungry.
I can tell when I've had too many carbs because about four hours later, my stomach is growling and I'm looking for food!
With that being said, there are times I will have a high carb meal or even a high carb day, but now that I know how to listen to my body, I can adjust my diet to help compensate. My relationship with food has changed since I know how it affects my body.
What are your top three tips for people starting low carb?
Follow the system - it works!
High fat (the good kind) is very good for you.
This isn't a diet - it's a way of life. Embrace the change! Your future self will thank you!!
Final thoughts or takeaway?
Eating low carb or low carb/high fat is life-changing!
Your body will heal itself, you will have more energy, and along the way, you'll experience so many non-scale victories such as finding your cheekbones and collar bones, and noticing that climbing up (or down) stairs is easier.
In the beginning, I was intimidated by the thought of "never" eating bread, pasta, and other high carb foods. I never believed it to be possible. Now that I've broken the cycle of eating high carb and being constantly hungry, I don't miss those things at all, because I know how my body will react to them. I compare it to being lactose intolerant. If you eat it anyway, you know what is going to happen, so choosing to avoid it is easier.
I love being active again; I feel better now that I did 10 years ago. The choice to be healthier can begin as soon as your next meal.
While change can be difficult, the results are worth it!
Congratulations Jeanne! The Diet Doctor team was delighted to meet you. Thanks for sharing your story.
~ Anne Mullens
